The Sacramento Kings face a formidable challenge against the NBA’s elite as they host the Boston Celtics in a highly anticipated showdown at the Golden 1 Center on Wednesday.
With a record of 16-9, the Kings have displayed an impressive performance, clinching victories in their last three games and eight out of their previous 11 matchups, propelling them to the fourth position in the Western Conference.
They trail the conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves by four games. Meanwhile, the Celtics, standing at 20-6, were on a winning streak of five games until they encountered a setback, suffering a 132-126 overtime defeat against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
Despite this loss, the Celtics still maintain a slim half-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Sacramento faces a challenging phase as they conclude a six-game run at home. Their upcoming matches against the Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Timberwolves promise a tough battle.
Center Domantas Sabonis acknowledged the difficulty, emphasizing the need for everyone to be in sync and top form. “We’ve got a tough trio of games ahead,” he stated.
The return of point guard De’Aaron Fox, scoring 30 points in a victorious game against the Washington Wizards, bolsters their lineup after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Sabonis’ stellar performance, securing a triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, added to the team’s momentum.
The Celtics are delaying their injury report until Wednesday due to their recent game against the Warriors on Tuesday. Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet were declared unavailable for the match against Golden State.
Jayson Tatum suffered a left ankle roll early in the game but returned, playing 41 minutes and scoring 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting. If Porzingis remains sidelined against the Kings, Al Horford might step in as the starting center.
However, the Celtics have been cautious with Horford in consecutive game situations. Despite Porzingis’ status, Neemias Queta, a former Kings player, could see considerable playtime.
Queta has had six appearances for the Celtics, averaging 4.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game. His standout performance came against the Warriors, with season-high stats of 10 points and ten rebounds in 21 minutes.
Switching gears to Sacramento’s lineup, Fox, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Wednesday, maintains an average of 30.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.
He currently stands sixth in the scoring of the NBA, following Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, Sabonis boasts averages of 18.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.2 assists.
He and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic are tied for second place in rebounding within the NBA, trailing behind Anthony Davis.
Keegan Murray (16.0 points per game), Malik Monk (14.8 points per game), Harrison Barnes (11.6 points per game), and Kevin Huerter (11.2 points per game) consistently score in double digits.
The Kings boast a solid 10-3 record at home and an even 6-6 split on the road. In the Celtics’ scouting report, their starting lineup featuring Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Porzingis is hailed as one of the NBA’s most potent.
Tatum, an MVP contender, averages 27.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Meanwhile, Brown maintains a solid average of 22.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Alongside Tatum, Porzingis (18.9 points per game), White (15.3 points per game), and Holiday (12.3 points per game) consistently contribute double-digit scores. The Celtics rank sixth in offensive rating (118.2), second in defensive rating (109.2), and second in net rating (+9.0) across the league.
Their dominance is showcased by a flawless 14-0 home record, slightly contrasted by a 6-5 performance on the road. However, updates indicate that the Celtics will be without Tatum due to a left ankle sprain in their upcoming game against the Kings.
Additionally, Horford (rest) and Kornet (adductor) won’t be playing, although Porzingis is expected to take the court. Furthermore, the Kings have listed Monk as questionable due to irritation in his right foot.
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